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What type of timber is the cheapest?

Hi all. I'm making a garden compost bib and was going to use old pallets but they're proving to be a nightmare to take apart as I need a fair bit of wood. I want to look in to how much it would be to buy the wood before I decide on whether to continue with the pallet thing but I'm struggling to find out what the cheapest type of timber is. It only needs to be cheap and I'll obviously treat it myself. Has anyone got any wisdom please? Thanks for looking.

Comments

  • getmore4less
    getmore4less Posts: 46,882 Forumite
    I've helped Parliament First Anniversary First Post Name Dropper
    Fence barge boards cut to interlock and give some air gaps.

    With pallets you don't take them apart you build using them as they come.

    Just get a load all the same size.
  • Have you watched some of the pallet dismantling videos on youtube?
  • G_M
    G_M Posts: 51,977 Forumite
    Combo Breaker First Anniversary First Post Name Dropper
    pallets are free - you don't get wood cheaper than that......
  • davemorton
    davemorton Posts: 29,084 Forumite
    Rampant Recycler Savvy Shopper! Energy Saving Champion I won, I won, I won!
    Second hand scaffolding boards are possibly another option, but not usually free.
    “Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?”
    Juvenal, The Sixteen Satires
  • robatwork
    robatwork Posts: 7,155 Forumite
    Photogenic First Post Name Dropper Second Anniversary
    Untreated softwood.

    But it will rot and fall apart. You need treated softwood - see if a fencing supplier has some offcuts
  • SHAFT
    SHAFT Posts: 565 Forumite
    davemorton wrote: »
    Second hand scaffolding boards are possibly another option, but not usually free.

    Won't last, I put two new ones down the side of the shed on compacted hardcore. They rotten within a couple of years.
  • Apodemus
    Apodemus Posts: 3,410 Forumite
    Ninth Anniversary Combo Breaker First Post Name Dropper
    Fence barge boards cut to interlock and give some air gaps.

    With pallets you don't take them apart you build using them as they come.

    Just get a load all the same size.

    Yes, three pallets for sides and back and if you want to be fancy cut a fourth one in half for the front. Then repeat for a second compost or add another side and back if you are going semi-detached.

    Compost-making is addictive and (like sheds!) you never have enough! :)
  • knightstyle
    knightstyle Posts: 7,060 Forumite
    10 Posts First Anniversary
    Look for someone replacing their decking and use the old timber?
  • Jackmydad
    Jackmydad Posts: 9,186 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary Photogenic Name Dropper 10 Posts
    Main thing is, whatever you if you can't get free, do shop around.
    Timber merchants not the sheds.
    Prices can vary a lot.
  • getmore4less
    getmore4less Posts: 46,882 Forumite
    I've helped Parliament First Anniversary First Post Name Dropper
    https://www.google.com/search?q=making+a+compost+bin+out+of+wooden+pallets

    probably want to stick to one pallet wide for each section then turn into the next one 3 wide a production line.

    I have been very successful with a black dalek as a wormery for kitchen waste just kep piling it in and taking compost from the bottom
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